Kelowna Actors Studio brings 1920s drama to stage this month
Not to make light of it, but living with a split personality seems to be sitting comfortably on his shoulders. Taking on the lion’s share as the second lead in The Great Gatsby, Tiernan LaFleurJohnson is immersing himself in the classic romantically-tragic tale penned by F. Scott Fitzgerald and being presented by Kelowna Actors Studio.
A fabulous stage production, the story unfolds in the uproarious and decadent 1920s, following the exploits of Jay Gatsby, his one true love Daisy and the naive Nick Carraway who arrives in New York and is swept up in the maelstrom.
“This is really Nick’s story,” Tiernan explained. “It’s very challenging as I have to go back and forth, from present to past, explaining the story to the audience as narrator, and then becoming part of the story as Nick, who doesn’t know how the events play out.”
Although Tiernan has been on stage numerous times in KAS musicals, this casting is his first play that “focuses on emotional scenes” and demands that he be “more real and really connect with the audience.”
Musical theatre allows actors to be over the top, sometimes blatantly comical, where
more dramatic plays demand other attributes from the players.
“Our focus has been on the script,” added Madeleine Petraroia, who plays love interest Daisy Buchanan, an already married woman, enriched, entitled and unrealistic, who is being idealistically pursued by Gatsby.
“It’s a great romance, and I love the era. I’m a huge fan of the 20s and love the fashion and the history,” she added. “The audience will love the costuming and hopefully get into Daisy’s headspace and be sympathetic to her choices and actions.”
Director Randy Leslie tackled the concept of 15 locations demanded of the production, and created fluidity on stage, utilizing a rotating stage, glitzy fringed curtains and made furniture “magically disappear.”
Period furniture and music specific to each character materialize, as do projections that create the needed atmosphere and draw the audience into the scandalous world of old money and a time where almost anything goes (as long as there’s a dollar attached to the deal.)
“The story by Fitzgerald is very poetic, full of prose and really a classic tale,” Tiernan added.
Taking the role of Gatsby is Pete MacLeod who went straight to the book to get his feel on Gatsby.
“Jay is an interesting representation of the American dream,” he noted.
“At first, he seems like a lavish and extravagant millionaire, but he has made himself into what he is, he is a success. Everyone dreams of success, and his reason for doing all of this is to get Daisy, the love of his life.”
Without a spoiler alert, allowing for the audience who has not seen the Great Gatsby in any incarnation, be prepared for an unforeseen ending, worthy of Romeo and Juliet.
It’s a classic tale and story brought to life on stage.
“Allow us to take you back to a time of excesses, decadence, abundant wealth and dividing lines between not only race and class, but between new money and old money, and watch as people who live by those lines cause destruction to those around them,” said Leslie.